I use a tk mandrel for turning handles but I get an awful lot of vibration using it What would cause this and how do I remedy it?

Need more info. What are you turning it on? What's the mandrel diameter? Is it bent?

Thomas,
Turn on the lathe with nothing in it - does the lathe run without vibration?

Put the mandrel into the lath head stock and clamp it to the tail stock and run the lathe at all speeds, does the lathe run without vibration.

If both of the above are true, but you get vibration when you put a piece of work onto the mandrel when turning, it simply means that you are not getting the work piece trued up, in the early stages of the turning when you turn at low speeds.

True the work as soon as you start and you will not have vibration, if the other two steps run true without vibration.

Be safe

You can also try rolling the mandril on a flat surface to make sure it is not bent

Bill - willierods.com

Thomas,

When installing the mandrel in the lathe chuck, tighten up snug not tight, and then install the tail stock in place. Loosen and re-tighten chuck tight, then tighten tailstock. Do not over tighten tail stock as this will cause the mandrel to flex. Only apply enough pressure from the live center to provide friction for the center to spin. If it "chatters" stop the lathe, loosen the chuck and rotate the mandrel 1/8 of a turn, then try it again. This is the same if the mandrel is not running true, loosen the chuck, and keep rotating the mandrel 1/8 of a turn until it runs true.

Once you find where the mandrel runs true in your lathe mark the mandrel and chuck so you can install the mandrel in the chuck the same way next time you use the mandrel.

As Phil mention, not sure what diameter your using but the smaller diameter mandrels are the toughest to keep straight. They are easily bent if drop or as mention above to much pressure from the tail stock.

I use a dial indicator to check the run-out on the mandrels. Before I shipped out the TK Mandrels I check for run-out in three location on the mandrel and each mandrel has .001 or less of run out when shipped.

Thomas, if you have any question or I can help in anyway just let me know.

Lynn Williams
wcrods@roadrunner.com

Using a 7/16 mandrel . But it only vibrates at certain times when I'm turning, almost like I'm pressing to hard or using a dull chisel. But even with a sharp gouge it will cut fine but when I move towards the center of the spindle you can see it flex and start vibrating
Does that make any sense?

Thomas,

I haven't heard of the 7/16" mandrel flexing, most of the time it's the 1/4" and 5/16" mandrels that will flex when to much pressure is applied.

If you want, email me with your phone # and a good time to call and I'll call, i would be glad to discuss this.

I apologize for the late reply, I've been out out of town.

Lynn Williams
wcrods@roadrunner.Com



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/18/2014 01:00PM by Lynn Williams.